Do Yourself a Favor and Go for a Walk

Fryman Canyon is one of those special places in the city of Los Angeles — a bit of country and canyon nestled just off the crest of Mulholland Drive, with gorgeous views of the valley and mountains. It’s favored by the canine set — my two dogs love it here — and on any given morning I’m sure to run into fellow canyon lovers, like Stacy Maes and her energetic weimaraner, Astrid. Maes is an independent film producer; she has two kids and works mostly at home. She’s not fond of organized exercise classes, so she does some yoga and fast-paced workout videos at home. But, as is the case with many Americans, walking is Maes’ most consistent exercise. She’s out in the canyon with Astrid three or four times a week. “In the morning, it’s all about Astrid,” Maes explains, and laughs. “Because if she’s not tired, then my day can’t go the way I want it to go.” Whether it’s to help their dogs or themselves, about half of all Americans surveyed in a recent NPR poll say they exercise regularly. Continue.